Letter expressing Clayton's concern over growing sectionalism, and his belief that the Compromise of 1850 only worsened matters. Clayton also references the events known as “Bleeding Kansas”, and notes an opinion that several states may secede.

Letter describing Abraham Lincoln's second Inaugural Address, the celebrations, and his impressions of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburgh. The letter is accompanied by an envelope addressed to Mr. Claude Hamilton from the...